The Manchester United winger – suspended for tonight’s Carling Cup clash against Blackburn – edged out Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres to become United’s first European Footballer of the Year for 40 years.

Having scored 42 goals last season – in all competitions – to help United to a Premier League and Champions League double, Ronaldo’s failure to shine at Euro 2008 was never going to dent his hopes of winning the prestigious award.

And the 23-year-old admits that his next challenge is to go out there and win it all over again.

Ronaldo said: “There were other great names this year – Lionel Messi finished second and Fernando Torres third, but also Xavi.

“All these people could have taken the trophy and I won it, but I was not worried because I was aware of what I did over the course of the season. I am only 23 and it is splendid, incredible, and to the people who mentioned my name, I say thank you.

“Thank you also to my team-mates who allowed me to be the best.

“This (trophy) is one that I want to win again because it is so good.”

Sir Alex Ferguson spoke of the club’s delight at the news and predicted Ronaldo will only get better.

Ferguson said: “We are very proud. Manchester United had been waiting for this for 40 years.

“He is only 23 years old and his best years are ahead of him.

“In life, you have two categories of people – those who reach their goal and say to themselves: ‘I made it’ and the other ones who are driven by will, desire.

“Ronaldo has that sparkle in himself.”

The Portuguese star claims, however, that there are increasing downsides to his emergence as the most recognised footballer on the planet.

He said: “People are always waiting for me to do something and they just pick on what are absolutely normal and unimportant things to criticise.”